
Overview
Background
Prof. Damien Batstone is Director of the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, where he leads environmental biotechnology and resource recovery research programmes. His research work has focused on renewable energy from biomass, production of commodity chemicals from renewable sources, and the water-energy-food nexus, including production of novel chemicals and feeds for aquaculture from gases such as hydrogen.
Anaerobic and Environmental Biotechnology
Our group specialises in processes which use anaerobic (or without air) conversions to produce bioenergy, green electricity, and other high-value products from wastes and other low value feeds.
Availability
- Professor Damien Batstone is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Engineering, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Damien Batstone’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Microbial population shifts during disturbance induced foaming in anaerobic digestion of primary and activated sludge
Krohn, Christian, Khudur, Leadin, Biek, Sali Khair, Elliott, Jake AK, Tabatabaei, Seyedali, Jiang, Chenjing, Wood, Jennifer L., Dias, Daniel Anthony, Dueholm, Morten K.D., Rees, Catherine A., O'Carroll, Denis, Stuetz, Richard, Batstone, Damien J., Surapaneni, Aravind and Ball, Andrew S. (2025). Microbial population shifts during disturbance induced foaming in anaerobic digestion of primary and activated sludge. Water Research, 281 123548, 123548. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123548
2025
Journal Article
Understanding sulfate transport phenomena during electrochemical acid recovery from waste MgSO4: a modelling approach
Ibrahim, Mohamed H., Batstone, Damien J., Vaughan, James and Steel, Karen (2025). Understanding sulfate transport phenomena during electrochemical acid recovery from waste MgSO4: a modelling approach. Separation and Purification Technology, 360 (Part 1) 130988, 130988. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.130988
2025
Journal Article
Higher order volatile fatty acid metabolism and atypical polyhydroxyalkanoate production in fermentation-enhanced biological phosphorus removal
Thomson, R., Le, C., Wang, L., Batstone, D.J., Zhou, Y. and Oehmen, A. (2025). Higher order volatile fatty acid metabolism and atypical polyhydroxyalkanoate production in fermentation-enhanced biological phosphorus removal. Water Research, 280 123503, 123503-280. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123503
2025
Journal Article
Metabolic modelling of anaerobic amino acid uptake and storage by fermentative polyphosphate accumulating organisms
Thomson, R., Close, K., Riley, A., Batstone, D.J. and Oehmen, A. (2025). Metabolic modelling of anaerobic amino acid uptake and storage by fermentative polyphosphate accumulating organisms. Water Research, 280 123512, 123512-280. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123512
2025
Other Outputs
Photoautotrophic growth and polyhydroxyalkanoate storage on formate by anaerobic purple bacteria
Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Adib Ghazali, Laycock, Bronwyn, Pratt, Steven and Batstone, Damien J. (2025). Photoautotrophic growth and polyhydroxyalkanoate storage on formate by anaerobic purple bacteria. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/874aec6
2025
Journal Article
A high-rate A2O bioreactor with airlift-driven circulation and anoxic hybrid growth for enhanced carbon and nutrient removal from a nutrient rich wastewater
Rahimi, Zahra, Zinatizadeh, Ali Akbar, Zinadini, Sirus, van Loosdrecht, Mark and Batstone, Damien J. (2025). A high-rate A2O bioreactor with airlift-driven circulation and anoxic hybrid growth for enhanced carbon and nutrient removal from a nutrient rich wastewater. Chemosphere, 370 143811, 143811. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143811
2025
Journal Article
Vacuum evaporation coupled with anaerobic digestion for process intensification and ammonia recovery: Model development, validation and scenario analysis
Mustafa Abdelrahman, Amr, Khadir, Ali, Santoro, Domenico, Jang, Eunkyung, Al-Omari, Ahmed, Muller, Chris, Bell, Katherine Y., Walton, John, Batstone, Damien and Nakhla, George (2025). Vacuum evaporation coupled with anaerobic digestion for process intensification and ammonia recovery: Model development, validation and scenario analysis. Bioresource Technology, 416 131753, 131753. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131753
2025
Journal Article
Recent advances and challenges in mechanistic modelling of photosynthetic processes for wastewater treatment
Rossi, S., Capson-Tojo, G, Sànchez-Zurano, A., Carecci, D., Batstone, D.J., Acìén-Fernandez, G. and Ficara, E. (2025). Recent advances and challenges in mechanistic modelling of photosynthetic processes for wastewater treatment. Water Research, 278 123216, 123216. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123216
2025
Journal Article
Effect of microbial growth types (suspended and attached) in anoxic zone of innovative one-stage anaerobic/anoxic/oxic bioreactor with airlift regime on nitrogen removal through combined mechanisms and phosphorous removal: A comparative study
Rahimi, Zahra, Zinatizadeh, Ali Akbar, Zinadini, Sirus, van Loosdrecht, Mark and Batstone, Damien J. (2025). Effect of microbial growth types (suspended and attached) in anoxic zone of innovative one-stage anaerobic/anoxic/oxic bioreactor with airlift regime on nitrogen removal through combined mechanisms and phosphorous removal: A comparative study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 486 144303, 144303. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.144303
2024
Journal Article
A critical review on emerging industrial applications of chars from thermal treatment of biosolids
Hedayati Marzbali, Mojtaba, Hakeem, Ibrahim Gbolahan, Ngo, Tien, Balu, Rajkamal, Jena, Manoj Kumar, Vuppaladadiyam, Arun, Sharma, Abhishek, Choudhury, Namita Roy, Batstone, Damien J. and Shah, Kalpit (2024). A critical review on emerging industrial applications of chars from thermal treatment of biosolids. Journal of Environmental Management, 369 122341, 122341. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122341
2024
Journal Article
Quadrupling the capacity of post aerobic digestion treating anaerobically digested sludge using a moving-bed biofilm (MBBR) configuration
Wang, Zhiyao, Lu, Xi, Zheng, Min, Hu, Zhetai, Batstone, Damien, Yuan, Zhiguo and Hu, Shihu (2024). Quadrupling the capacity of post aerobic digestion treating anaerobically digested sludge using a moving-bed biofilm (MBBR) configuration. Water Research X, 24 100240, 100240. doi: 10.1016/j.wroa.2024.100240
2024
Other Outputs
CFD for Advanced Anaerobic Ponds- Water Corporation-D-S00707
Ahmmed, Mohammad Shakil and Batstone, Damien J (2024). CFD for Advanced Anaerobic Ponds- Water Corporation-D-S00707. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/f606da9
2024
Journal Article
Current understanding on the transformation and fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances before, during, and after thermal treatment of biosolids
Gbolahan Hakeem, Ibrahim, Halder, Pobitra, Patel, Savankumar, Selezneva, Ekaterina, Rathnayake, Nimesha, Hedayati Marzbali, Mojtaba, Veluswamy, Ganesh, Sharma, Abhishek, Kundu, Sazal, Surapaneni, Aravind, Megharaj, Mallavarapu, Batstone, Damien J. and Shah, Kalpit (2024). Current understanding on the transformation and fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances before, during, and after thermal treatment of biosolids. Chemical Engineering Journal, 493 152537, 1-28. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.152537
2024
Journal Article
MiDAS 5: Global diversity of bacteria and archaea in anaerobic digesters
Dueholm, Morten Kam Dahl, Andersen, Kasper Skytte, Korntved, Anne-Kirstine C., Rudkjøbing, Vibeke, Alves, Madalena, Bajón-Fernández, Yadira, Batstone, Damien, Butler, Caitlyn, Cruz, Mercedes Cecilia, Davidsson, Åsa, Erijman, Leonardo, Holliger, Christof, Koch, Konrad, Kreuzinger, Norbert, Lee, Changsoo, Lyberatos, Gerasimos, Mutnuri, Srikanth, O’Flaherty, Vincent, Oleskowicz-Popiel, Piotr, Pokorna, Dana, Rajal, Veronica, Recktenwald, Michael, Rodríguez, Jorge, Saikaly, Pascal E., Tooker, Nick, Vierheilig, Julia, De Vrieze, Jo, Wurzbacher, Christian and Nielsen, Per Halkjær (2024). MiDAS 5: Global diversity of bacteria and archaea in anaerobic digesters. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 5361, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-49641-y
2024
Journal Article
Electrochemical separation of sulfuric acid from magnesium sulfate solutions: application for nickel laterite processing
H. Ibrahim, Mohamed, Batstone, Damien, Vaughan, James and Steel, Karen (2024). Electrochemical separation of sulfuric acid from magnesium sulfate solutions: application for nickel laterite processing. Separation and Purification Technology, 336 126291. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.126291
2024
Journal Article
Concurrent removal of carbon and nutrients in a one-stage dual internal circulation airlift A2O bioreactor from milk processing industrial wastewater: Process optimization, sludge characteristics and operating cost evaluation
Rahimi, Zahra, Zinatizadeh, Ali Akbar, Zinadini, Sirus, van Loosdrecht, Mark and Batstone, Damien J. (2024). Concurrent removal of carbon and nutrients in a one-stage dual internal circulation airlift A2O bioreactor from milk processing industrial wastewater: Process optimization, sludge characteristics and operating cost evaluation. Chemosphere, 355 141804, 141804. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141804
2024
Journal Article
Dead in the water – Role of relic DNA and primer choice for targeted sequencing surveys of anaerobic sewage sludge intended for biological monitoring
Krohn, Christian, Jansriphibul, Kraiwut, Dias, Daniel A., Rees, Catherine A., Akker, Ben van den, Boer, Jennifer C., Plebanski, Magdalena, Surapaneni, Aravind, O'Carroll, Denis, Richard, Stuetz, Batstone, Damien J. and Ball, Andrew S. (2024). Dead in the water – Role of relic DNA and primer choice for targeted sequencing surveys of anaerobic sewage sludge intended for biological monitoring. Water Research, 253 121354, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121354
2024
Journal Article
Evaluating novel biodegradable polymer matrix fertilizers for nitrogen‐efficient agriculture
Witt, Torsten, Robinson, Nicole, Palma, Ana C., Cernusak, Lucas A., Pratt, Steven, Redding, Matthew, Batstone, Damien J., Schmidt, Susanne and Laycock, Bronwyn (2024). Evaluating novel biodegradable polymer matrix fertilizers for nitrogen‐efficient agriculture. Journal of Environmental Quality, 53 (3), 287-299. doi: 10.1002/jeq2.20552
2024
Book Chapter
Modeling with the Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 for enhanced understanding and application of anaerobic treatment processes
Mo, Rongrong, Guo, Wenjie, Batstone, Damien, Makinia, Jacek and Li, Yongmei (2024). Modeling with the Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 for enhanced understanding and application of anaerobic treatment processes. Green energy and technology: fundamentals, modelling, and applications. (pp. 225-259) edited by Guangxue Wu. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-69378-6_12
2024
Journal Article
Polyhydroxyalkanoate production in a biofilm by mixed culture phototrophic bacteria
Hülsen, Tim, Venturato, Daniel, Chan, Clement, Vandi, Luigi, Laycock, Bronwyn, Pratt, Steven, Stegman, Samuel, van Loosdrecht, Mark and Batstone, Damien J. (2024). Polyhydroxyalkanoate production in a biofilm by mixed culture phototrophic bacteria. Journal of Cleaner Production, 434 140001, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140001
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Damien Batstone is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Biopolymer production from syngas and carbon dioxide/hydrogen by purple phototrophic bacteria
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bronwyn Laycock, Professor Steven Pratt
-
Doctor Philosophy
Recovery of high-value coloured organic compounds from wastewater
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andrew Ward
-
Doctor Philosophy
'The impact of Biosolids Char in Anaerobic Digestion'
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephan Tait
-
Doctor Philosophy
Fundamental understanding of a new microbial process of anaerobic ammonium oxidation coupled to Fe(III) reduction
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the impact and composition of non-degradable organics in sewage sludge and biosolids
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephan Tait
-
Doctor Philosophy
Machine Learning Predictive Maintenance for Sustainable Urban Drainage
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic Modelling of Fermentative and Conventional Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms in Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic Modelling of Fermentative and Conventional Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms in Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen
-
Master Philosophy
Additives for low cost emissions reduction in piggeries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephan Tait
-
Doctor Philosophy
CO2 Mineralization with Metals Extraction : A Pathway to CO2 Sequestration Commercialization
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor James Vaughan, Associate Professor Karen Steel
-
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic Modelling of Fermentative and Conventional Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms in Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Monitoring and Modelling sewer groundwater interactions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jiuling Li, Dr Chenming Zhang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Integrated model-based assessment of the impact of sidestream biological phosphorus removal processes on resource recovery in wastewater treatment systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen
-
Doctor Philosophy
BIOLOGICAL DYNAMICS & SOLIDS BEHAVIOUR IN ANAEROBIC LAGOONS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephan Tait, Associate Professor Paul Jensen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating and reducing the carbon footprint of biosolids treatment from urban wastewater system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Liu Ye
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing sewer corrosion through humidity control
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan, Dr Jiuling Li
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Resource Recovery using Mixed Purple Phototrophic Bacteria for Carotenoid Production
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Jensen
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Computational fluid dynamics modelling of solids behaviour in anaerobic lagoons
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Jensen, Dr Shakil Ahmmed
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Gas phase production of mixed culture phototrophic bacteria
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Distributed parameter modelling of phototrophic bioreactor systems
Principal Advisor
-
-
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Mathematical modelling of electron transfer modes in electroactive microorganisms
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bernardino Virdis
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic Mechanisms and Regulation of Mixed Culture Fermentation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bernardino Virdis
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Regulation of Mixed Culture Fermentation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Pratt
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Nutrient recovery from domestic wastewater with purple phototrophic bacteria
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Membrane fouling in industrial anaerobic membrane bioreactors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Jensen
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Modelling of mechanical and electrochemical interspecies interactions in microbial communities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bernardino Virdis
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
A high-rate high temperature anaerobic digestion system for sludge treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Jensen
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Interspecies electron transfer in environmental and engineered syntrophic systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Turner, Dr Bernardino Virdis
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial Ecology of Fermentative Microbes in Anaerobic Granules
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Phil Hugenholtz, Associate Professor Paul Jensen
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Low Cost Applications of Anaerobic Digestion to Livestock Wastes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Jensen
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Electrochemical Treatment of Reverse Osmosis Concentrates Generated in Water Recycling
Principal Advisor
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of Temperature Phased Anaerobic Digestion for Organic Solids Stabilization
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Jensen
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic Modelling of Fermentative and Conventional Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms in Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Production of purple phototrophic bacteria using biofilm technologies: Granular biofilm growth of PPB and its role in simultaneous wastewater remediation and resource recovery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Jensen
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Anaerobic co-digestion: micro to full-scale
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephan Tait, Associate Professor Paul Jensen
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Anaerobic Co-digestion: Design of substrate mixtures and the impacts on process performance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephan Tait, Associate Professor Paul Jensen
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Anaerobic treatment of solid manure residues
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Jensen, Dr Stephan Tait
-
2017
Master Philosophy
Practical options for cleaning biogas prior to on-farm use at piggeries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephan Tait
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Dynamic Modelling of Minerals Precipitation in Wastewater Treatment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Stephan Tait
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Microbial community structure, dynamics and function analysis during thermophilic and mesophilic pre-treatment of anaerobic digestion
Associate Advisor
-
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Laboratory-scale investigation of the decentralised anaerobic co-digestion of blackwater and food waste for a tourism facility
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor William Clarke
Media
Enquiries
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